Bridle-bit



(No Model.)

J'. D. WARPEL. BRIDLE BIT.

Noi 576,502. Patented Feb. Z, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. `VARFELJ OF BUFORD, GEORGIA.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 576,502, dated February 2, 1897. Application filed November 9, 1896. Serial No. 611,582. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may conccrn:

Beit known that I, JOHN D. WARFEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buford, in the county of Gwinnett and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in bridle-bits; and it consists in the novel features and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

My invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying` drawings, wherein the same parts are indicated by the same letters throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bit as used for an ordinary curb-bit Fig. 2 is a similar view of the bit, showing the movable sections of the month-bar thereof as separated from the stationary section to its fullest eX- tent. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the bit, showing the movable section of the month-bar adjacent to the fixed section, but reversed. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the bit in the position shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the movable section of the mouthbar with its securing-nuts.

A and A represent the two side pieces of the bit. These two side pieces are exactly similar and have curved lower por-tions A' A', which extend first backward and then for- Ward, as seen in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings. The upper ends A2 A2 of these side pieces are provided with openings (L0 ao for the passage of the cheek-straps or other straps for connecting the bit to the headstall of a bridle or halter.

In the lower ends of the curved lower portions A' AI of the side pieces are openings a' ct', in which may be secured the ends of a pair of riding or driving reins. Another pair of openings a2 a2 are provided in the curved portions A' A' at their eXtreme rear for the attachment of either a pair of reins when the bit is used for riding or driving purposes or for the attachment of the cheek-straps of a bridle or halter when used for the purpose of opening the mouth of the animal to which it is applied.

A pair of curved elongated openings or slots as a3 are form ed through the curved lowerportions A' A' of the bit to allow of the adj ustment of the adjustable section of the mouthbar, as hereinafter described.

B represents the month-bar, which is composed of the fixed section B' and the adjustable section B2. Each of these sections is half-cylindrical in cross-section, and when the two are fitted together, as seen in Fig. 1, they form a cylindrical bar which has a slig'ht upward curve at the center thereof. The adjustable section B2 has a pair of rounded fiattened shanks 192 192 upon its ends,terminating in reduced screw-threaded ends b' b' and adapted to be engaged by thumb-nuts O O, azs seen most clearlyin Fig. 5. The flattened shanks 112 b upon the ends of the adjustable section B2 are adapted to slide in the curved openings a'L3 (L3, but cannot turn therein eXcept at the lower ends of said openings, which are enlarged, as shown at a4 C04 in Figs. 1 and 3. Lugs Z)4 Z)4 are-provided upon the fiat side of said adj ustable section B2 atthe ends thereof to engage in recesses 115 b5 in the stationary section B', as seen most clearly in Fig. 4, when the sections are brought together in the adj ustment shown in Fig. 1.

For use as a driving,` or riding bit the adjustable section of the month-bar is adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 1, as above described, with its flat side against the flat side of the stationary section. The thumb-nuts C O are then tightened and the two Sections of the bar B are as one.

For use as a mouth-opener for veterinary purposes, such as bleeding or treatingthe teeth or throat, the adj ustable bar B2 may be loosened and slid around to the lower end of the openings 0.8 0.3, where it may be secured .again by means of the thumb-nuts, as before. The curve of the openings as (1.3 will cause this adjustable section to turn almost if not entirely over, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4. In this position the animal's mouth will be held open and the hand or any instrument may be inserted between the two sections of the bar B into the animalis mouth or throat with perfect ease and Safety. Again, the bar B2 may be adjusted for use in drenching by first sliding the said bar down to the lower ends of the openings as aa, as above described and IOO shown in Figs. 2 and 4 in full lines, and then turning the said bar in the enlarged openings (L4 C04 and looking the same in that position by means of the thnmb-nuts C C, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. In this position the neck of a bottle may be inserted between the bars l' and B2, and the animals tongue may work beneath the ad j ustablc bar B2.

lVhen the bit is to be used upon a horse that is addicted to the habit of Clenching or holding the bit between his teeth, the bar B2 may be adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 3 by first moving it to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, as above described, and then moving' it upward again in the reversed position. In this adj ustment the horse Cannot close his teeth upon the bar B, and hence clenching of the bit and the possible disaster incident to a runaway are avoided'.

The month-bar B is provided with a chamber for the reception of an antiseptic or medicinal snbstance by having a recess made in each section of the month-bar, as shown at B0 and B0, so that when the two sections are fitted together these two recesses form a single Chamber. The substance in this chamber so formed may ooze out between the two sections of the bar, or a plurality of smaller grooves or recesses bo may be provided in the two sections of the bar B to allow this substancc in the holding-Chamber to escape therefrom more readily. Thns this Chamber in the bar B may be filled with asafetida, tar, or any other similar substance, which will be gradually drawn out into the month of the animal wearing the bit.

I do not wish to limit myself to the uses and adjustments of the bit herein referred to, as it may be used and applied in various ways unnecessary to refer to herein.

I'Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a bridle-bit, the combination with the two side pieces each having an openin g at the top for the attachment of a strap on the headstall of a bridle or halter, an opening at the bottom for the attachment of a` rein, a rearwardly-Curved portion between said ends having` a short opening for the attachment of a strap on the said bridle or halter, and having also an elongated Curved opening therethrough; of a month-bar composed of two semicylindrical portions, the one rigidly attached to said side pieces, the other having a shank at each end adapted to slide in said Curved openings in said side pieces, and havin g screw-lhreaded ends; and th umb-nuts engaging the said screw-threaded ends of said shanls, and adapted to secure said movable section at any desi red position in said Curved openings, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In a bridle-bit, the combination with the two side pieces each having an opening at the top for the attach ment of a strap on the headstall of a bridle or halter, an opening at the bottom for the attachment of a rein, a rearwardly- Curved portion between said ends having an elongated Curved opening therethrough; of a month-bar composed of two Curved semicylindrical portions, the one rigidly attached to said side pieces, the other having a flattened shank at each end adapted to slide in said Curved openings in said side pieces, and having reduced sCrew-threaded ends; and th umb-n uts engaging the said screw-t-hreaded ends of said shanks, and adapted to secure said movable section at any desired position in said Curved openings, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In a bridle-bit, the Combination with the two side pieces each having an opening at the top for the attachment of a strap on the headstall of a bridle or halter, an opening at the bottom for the attachment of a rein, a rear` wardly-curved portion between said ends having a short opening for the attachment of a strap on the said bridle or halter, and having also an elongated Curved opening therethrough; of a month-bar composed of two Curved semicylindrical portions, the one rigidly attached to said side pieces, and having a pair of recesses in the flat face thereof, the other having a pair of lugs upon its fiat face adapted to engage said recesses in the flat face of said rigid portion, and having a fiattened shank at each end adapted to slide in said Curved openings in said side pieces, and having reduced sCrew-threaded ends; and thnmb-nnts engagin g the said sCrew-threaded ends of said shanks and adapted to secure said movable sections at any desired position in said Curved openings7 substantially as and for the purposesl described.

4:. In a bridle-bit, the combination with the two side pieces each having an opening at the top for the attachment of a strap on the headstall of a bridle or halter, an opening at the bottom for the attachment of a rein, a rearwardly-Curved portion between said ends having a short opening for the attachment of a strap on the said bridle or halter, and having also an elongated Curved opening therethrough with an enlargement at its lower end; of a month-bar composed of two Curved semicylindrical portions, theone rigidly attached to said side pieces, the other having a flattened shank at each end adapted to slide in said Curved openingsin said side pieces, and having reduced screw-threaded ends; and thu mb-nuts engagin g the said sCrew-threaded ends of said shanks, and adapted to secure said movable section at any desired position in said Curved openings, substantially as and for the purposes described. v

5. In a bridle-bit, the Combination with the two side pieces each having an opening at the top for the attachment of a Strap on the headstall of a bridle or halter, an opening at the bottom for the attachment of a rein, a real'- wardly-curved portion between said ends having a short opening for the attachment of a I IOO IIO

IIS

its flat side, with grooves leading from said hollow recess, said recess and said grooves in said Sections adapted to eoineide When the tWo Sections are brought together, substantially as and for the purposes deseribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOI-IN D. WARFEL.

XVitnesses: i

LERoY PHARE, H. P. THOMAS. 

